"requirement for flightlessness. The kiwi does not exhibit gigantism, along with tinamous, even though they coexisted with the moa and rhea that both exhibit gigantism. This could be the result of different ancestral flighted birds arrival or because of competitive exclusion. The first flightless bird to arrive in each environment utilized the large flightless herbivore or omnivore niche, forcing the later arrivals to remain smaller. In environments where flightless birds are not present, it is possible that after the K/T Boundary there were no niches for them to fill. They were pushed out by other herbivorous mammals. New Zealand had"
"Greater rhea The greater rhea (""Rhea americana"") is a species of flightless bird native to eastern South America. Other names for the greater rhea include the grey, common, or American rhea; ñandú (Guaraní and Spanish); or ema (Portuguese). One of two species in the genus ""Rhea"", in the family Rheidae, the greater rhea is native to Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. It inhabits a variety of open areas, such as grasslands, savanna or grassy wetlands. Weighing , the greater rhea is the largest bird in South America. In the wild, the greater rhea has a life expectancy of 10.5"
"farming situations, but under optimum free-range conditions chicks will reach adult size by their fifth month. Greater rhea The greater rhea (""Rhea americana"") is a species of flightless bird native to eastern South America. Other names for the greater rhea include the grey, common, or American rhea; ñandú (Guaraní and Spanish); or ema (Portuguese). One of two species in the genus ""Rhea"", in the family Rheidae, the greater rhea is native to Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. It inhabits a variety of open areas, such as grasslands, savanna or grassy wetlands. Weighing , the greater rhea is the largest"
"Red-eyed vireo The red-eyed vireo (""Vireo olivaceus"") is a small American songbird, in length. It is somewhat warbler-like but not closely related to the New World warblers (Parulidae). Common across its vast range, this species is not considered threatened by the IUCN. ""Vireo"" is a Latin word referring to a green migratory bird, perhaps the female golden oriole, possibly the European greenfinch. The specific ""olivaceus"" is New Latin for ""olive-green"", from Latin ""oliva"" ""olive"". Adults are mainly olive-green on the upperparts with white underparts; they have a red iris and a grey crown edged with black. There is a dark"
"Pyrrhuloxia The pyrrhuloxia or desert cardinal (""Cardinalis sinuatus"") is a medium-sized North American song bird found in the American southwest and northern Mexico. This distinctive species with a short, stout bill and red crest and wings, and closely resembles the northern and the vermilion cardinals which are in the same genus. The desert cardinal is one of three birds in the genus ""Cardinalis"" in the family Cardinalidae, a group of passerine birds found in North and South America. Its name of pyrrhuloxia - once part of its scientific name - comes from Greek terms describing its coloration (πυρρος = ""pyrrhos"""
"Limpkin The limpkin (""Aramus guarauna""), also called carrao, courlan, and crying bird, is a bird that looks like a large rail, but is skeletally closer to cranes. It is the only extant species in the genus Aramus and the family Aramidae. It is found mostly in wetlands in warm parts of the Americas, from Florida to northern Argentina. It feeds on molluscs, with the diet dominated by apple snails of the genus ""Pomacea"". Its name derives from its seeming limp when it walks. The limpkin is placed in its own monotypic family, Aramidae, which is in turn placed within the"
"all were infected with at least one of these parasites. Red-eyed vireo The red-eyed vireo (""Vireo olivaceus"") is a small American songbird, in length. It is somewhat warbler-like but not closely related to the New World warblers (Parulidae). Common across its vast range, this species is not considered threatened by the IUCN. ""Vireo"" is a Latin word referring to a green migratory bird, perhaps the female golden oriole, possibly the European greenfinch. The specific ""olivaceus"" is New Latin for ""olive-green"", from Latin ""oliva"" ""olive"". Adults are mainly olive-green on the upperparts with white underparts; they have a red iris and"
"Southern cassowary The southern cassowary (""Casuarius casuarius""), also known as double-wattled cassowary, Australian cassowary or two-wattled cassowary, is a large flightless black bird. It is a ratite and therefore related to emu, ostrich, and the ""Rhea"" and Kiwi genera. (See also dwarf cassowary and northern cassowary.) Presently, most authorities consider the southern cassowary monotypic, but several subspecies have been described. It has proven very difficult to confirm the validity of these due to individual variations, age-related variations, the relatively few available specimens (and the bright skin of the head and neck – the basis upon which several subspecies have been"
"Red-ruffed fruitcrow The red-ruffed fruitcrow (""Pyroderus scutatus"") is a species of bird in the monotypic genus ""Pyroderus"", in the Cotinga family. It is among the largest Passerines in South America, though it is surpassed by another cotinga, the Amazonian umbrellabird. Its include ""yacutoro,"" ""toropisco montañero,"" ""sangretoro,"" ""pájaro torero,"" and ""cuervo-frutero de garganta roja."" It has a relatively heavy pale bluish bill, and the plumage is primarily black, but with a bright orange-crimson patch on the throat (thereby superficially resembling the smaller male purple-throated fruitcrow). Some subspecies have brown underparts. Males gather in loose leks where they call to attract the"
"Philadelphia vireo The Philadelphia vireo (""Vireo philadelphicus"") is a small North American songbird in the vireo family (""Vireonidae""). ""Vireo"" is a Latin word referring to a green migratory bird, perhaps the female golden oriole, possibly the European greenfinch. The specific ""philadelphicus"" is for the city of Philadelphia. Adults are mainly olive-brown on the upperparts with yellow underparts; they have dark eyes and a grey crown. They have no wing bars and no eye ring. There is a dark line through the eyes and a white stripe just over them. They have thick blue-grey legs and a stout bill. The Philadelphia"
"Red-winged tinamou The red-winged tinamou (""Rhynchotus rufescens"") is a medium-sized ground-living bird from central and eastern South America. Other common names for the species include ""perdiz grande"", ""rufous tinamou"", and ""ynambu"". All tinamou are from the family Tinamidae, and in the larger scheme are also ratites. Unlike other ratites, tinamous can fly, although in general, they are not strong fliers. All ratites evolved from prehistoric flying birds, and tinamous are the closest living relative of these birds. Coenraad Jacob Temminck first identified the red-winged tinamou from a specimen from São Paulo state, Brazil, in 1815. The red-winged tinamou has three"
"Ornimegalonyx The Cuban giant owl or giant cursorial owl (Ornimegalonyx) is an extinct genus of giant owl that measured in height. It is closely related to the many species of living owls of the genus ""Strix"". It was a flightless or nearly flightless bird and it is believed to be the largest owl that ever existed. It lived on the island of Cuba. The first fossil specimen was mistakenly described as a bird in the family Phorusrhacidae, in part because the bones were so large. In 1961, Pierce Brodkorb reviewed the findings and placed them properly, with the owls. Remains"
"the olive oropendola is a liquid, gurgling and ""expanding"" ""stek-ek-ek-ek-eh-eh-eh-o'o 'GLOOP!"", given as a displaying male falls forward on a perch and rustles his wings over the back. Nasal ""raap"" and ""whrup"" calls are given while in flight or when foraging. Olive oropendola The olive oropendola (""Psarocolius bifasciatus"") is the largest member of the icterid family and rivals the Amazonian umbrellabird as the largest passerine bird in South America. It is sometimes placed in the genus ""Gymnostinops"" instead of ""Psarocolius"". As suggested by its name, it is found widely – but often in low densities – throughout humid lowland forests"
"Common ostrich The common ostrich (""Struthio camelus""), or simply ostrich, is a species of large flightless bird native to Africa. It is one of two extant species of ostriches, the only living members of the genus ""Struthio"" in the ratite order of birds. The other is the Somali ostrich (""Struthio molybdophanes""), which was recognized as a distinct species by BirdLife International in 2014 having been previously considered a very distinctive subspecies of ostrich. The common ostrich shares the order Struthioniformes with the kiwis, emus, rheas, and cassowaries. However, phylogenetic studies have shown that it is the sister group to all"
"Rusty tinamou The rusty tinamou or short-billed tinamou (""Crypturellus brevirostris"") is a type of tinamou commonly found in swamp forest in tropical regions of South America. The rusty tinamou is a monotypic species. All tinamou are from the family Tinamidae, and in the larger scheme are also ratites. Unlike other ratites, tinamous can fly, although in general, they are not strong fliers. All ratites evolved from prehistoric flying birds, and tinamous are the closest living relative of these birds. ""Crypturellus"" is formed from three Latin or Greek words. ""kruptos"" meaning covered or hidden, ""oura"" meaning tail, and ""ellus"" meaning diminutive."
"Psilopterus Psilopterus (Greek for ""bare wing"") is an extinct genus of phorusrhacid (""terror bird"") from the Middle Oligocene to Late Miocene of Argentina. Compared to other phorusrhacids, members of the genus are both relatively gracile and diminutive, and include the smallest known species of terror bird: with the head raised ""P. bachmanni"" was in height and weighed about , while the largest members of the genus were only about . The birds resemble the modern cariama (""Cariama cristata""), except with a heavier build and considerably smaller wings. The strong morphological similarity between the claws of the predatory cariama and ""Psilopterus"","
"Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius. Rufous motmot The rufous motmot (""Baryphthengus martii"") is a near-passerine bird which is a resident breeder in rain forests from northeastern Honduras south to western Ecuador, northeastern Bolivia, and southwestern Brazil. This large motmot is long and weighs . It is mainly cinnamon-rufous, with a black face mask and central breast spot, green wings and sides, a greenish-blue lower belly, and dark blue tail and flight feathers. The tail is very long and has a bare-shafted racket tip. The bill and legs are black. Young birds are paler and duller than adults, and lack the"
"was probably an ambush predator that would pounce on unsuspecting prey with its crushing talons. Ornimegalonyx The Cuban giant owl or giant cursorial owl (Ornimegalonyx) is an extinct genus of giant owl that measured in height. It is closely related to the many species of living owls of the genus ""Strix"". It was a flightless or nearly flightless bird and it is believed to be the largest owl that ever existed. It lived on the island of Cuba. The first fossil specimen was mistakenly described as a bird in the family Phorusrhacidae, in part because the bones were so large."
"Southern beardless tyrannulet The southern beardless tyrannulet (""Camptostoma obsoletum"") is a small passerine bird in the tyrant flycatcher family. It breeds from Costa Rica through South America south to Paraguay, Bolivia, and Argentina. The southern beardless tyrannulet is 10.2 cm long, weighs 7.5g and often resembles a tiny yellow-bellied elaenia. The head is dark brown or grey with an erectile crest and pale supercilium. The upperparts are grey-green becoming paler on the rump. The wings are brown with yellow feather-edging and two whitish, yellowish or cinnamon wing bars. The tail, which regularly is held cocked, is brown, the throat grey,"
"Lesser violetear The lesser violetear (""Colibri cyanotus""), also known as the mountain violet-ear, is a medium-sized, metallic green hummingbird species commonly found in forested areas from Costa Rica to northern South America. This species and the Mexican violetear were formerly considered as conspecific and named the 'green violetear'. The lesser violetear belongs to the order Apodiformes. Hummingbirds share this order with the swifts, such as the white-collared swift. The name Apodiformes is derived from the Greek words ""a pous,"" meaning ""without foot."" While apodiforms do in fact have feet, they are quite small and their legs are short and relatively"
"Giant cowbird The giant cowbird (""Molothrus oryzivorus"") is a large passerine bird in the New World family Icteridae. It breeds from southern Mexico south to northern Argentina, and on Trinidad and Tobago. It may have relatively recently colonised the latter island. It is associated with open woodland and cultivation with large trees, but is also the only cowbird that is found in deep forest. It is a quiet bird, particularly for an icterid, but the male has an unpleasant screeched whistle, ""shweeaa-tpic-tpic"". The call is a sharp ""chek-chik"". They are also very adept mimics. Like other cowbirds, it is a"
"Giant cowbird The giant cowbird (""Molothrus oryzivorus"") is a large passerine bird in the New World family Icteridae. It breeds from southern Mexico south to northern Argentina, and on Trinidad and Tobago. It may have relatively recently colonised the latter island. It is associated with open woodland and cultivation with large trees, but is also the only cowbird that is found in deep forest. It is a quiet bird, particularly for an icterid, but the male has an unpleasant screeched whistle, ""shweeaa-tpic-tpic"". The call is a sharp ""chek-chik"". They are also very adept mimics. Like other cowbirds, it is a"
"Rufous motmot The rufous motmot (""Baryphthengus martii"") is a near-passerine bird which is a resident breeder in rain forests from northeastern Honduras south to western Ecuador, northeastern Bolivia, and southwestern Brazil. This large motmot is long and weighs . It is mainly cinnamon-rufous, with a black face mask and central breast spot, green wings and sides, a greenish-blue lower belly, and dark blue tail and flight feathers. The tail is very long and has a bare-shafted racket tip. The bill and legs are black. Young birds are paler and duller than adults, and lack the tail rackets and black breast"
"Ocellated tapaculo The ocellated tapaculo (""Acropternis orthonyx"") is a large bird found in the northern Andes in South America. It is a highly distinctive tapaculo; traditionally united with its closest relatives in the Rhinocryptidae, this family is paraphyletic with the Formicariidae (ground-antbirds) but instead of merging the tapaculos with the ground-antbird family, recent sources tend to split the antpittas from the Formicariidae. This passerine averages 8.3-8.7 in (21–22 cm) in length and between 2.8-3.5 oz (80 and 100 gram). The bird is mostly black with large white spots, a brown flank, and a reddish head and throat. A call, apparently"
"Umbrellabird Umbrellabirds are birds in the genus ""Cephalopterus"". They are found in rainforests of Central and South America. With a total length of , they are among the largest members of the cotinga family, and the male Amazonian umbrellabird is the largest passerine in South America. They are almost entirely black, and have a conspicuous crest on the top of their head, vaguely resembling an umbrella (hence their common name). All have an inflatable wattle on the neck, which serves to amplify their loud, booming calls. This wattle may reach a length of in the long-wattled umbrellabird, but it is"
"Hoatzin The hoatzin (""Opisthocomus hoazin""), also known as the reptile bird, skunk bird, stinkbird, or Canje pheasant, is a species of tropical bird found in swamps, riparian forests, and mangroves of the Amazon and the Orinoco basins in South America. It is notable for having chicks that have claws on two of their wing digits. It is the only member of the genus Opisthocomus (Ancient Greek: ""wearing long hair behind"", referring to its large crest), which in turn is the only extant genus in the family Opisthocomidae. The taxonomic position of this family has been greatly debated, and is still"
"Thrush-like wren The thrush-like wren (""Campylorhynchus turdinus"") is a South American species of bird in the family Troglodytidae, the wrens. As suggested by its common and scientific name, its size and coloration are vaguely reminiscent of that of a thrush, although the general impression it gives ""in life"" is very different and not at all ""thrush-like"". With a total length of approximately 20 cm (8 in), it is among the largest species of wrens. The head and mantle are brownish-gray. The wings and upper tail are dull brown with dense blackish barring. The whitish underparts are heavily spotted with dusky,"
"Barred tinamou The barred tinamou (""Crypturellus casiquiare"") is a type of tinamou commonly found in lowland moist forest in subtropical and tropical regions of northern South America. This is a monotypic species. All tinamou are from the family Tinamidae, and in the larger scheme are also ratites. Unlike other ratites, tinamous can fly, although in general, they are not strong fliers. All ratites evolved from prehistoric flying birds, and tinamous are the closest living relative of these birds. ""Crypturellus"" is formed from three Latin or Greek words. ""kruptos"" meaning covered or hidden, ""oura"" meaning tail, and ""ellus"" meaning diminutive. Therefore,"
"Rufous mourner The rufous mourner (""Rhytipterna holerythra"") is a small passerine bird in the tyrant flycatcher family. It breeds from southwestern Mexico to northwestern Ecuador. It was formerly believed to be a cotinga, but well-supported anatomical evidence has shown it to be related to tyrant flycatchers of the genera ""Myiarchus"", ""Sirystes"" and ""Casiornis"". The rufous mourner is 20 cm. long and weighs 40 g. Its plumage is entirely rufous, brighter on the underparts, and with darker brown wings. The base of the bill is pink or horn-coloured. The call is a drawling ""way teeer"" and the song is ""wee hi"
"Vireo The vireos make up a family, Vireonidae, of small to medium-sized passerine birds found in the New World (Canada to Argentina, including Bermuda and the West Indies) and Southeast Asia, ""Vireo"" is a Latin word referring to a green migratory bird, perhaps the female golden oriole, possibly the European greenfinch. They are typically dull-plumaged and greenish in color, the smaller species resembling wood warblers apart from their heavier bills. They range in size from the Chocó vireo, dwarf vireo and lesser greenlet, all at around 10 centimeters and 8 grams, to the peppershrikes and shrike-vireos at up to 17"
"complex migration strategy. Mexican violetear The Mexican violetear (""Colibri thalassinus"") is a medium-sized, metallic green hummingbird species commonly found in forested areas from Mexico to Nicaragua. This species, together with the lesser violetear were previously considered conspecific, and together called the green violetear. The Mexican violetear belongs to the order Apodiformes. Hummingbirds share this order with the swifts, such as the white-collared swift. The name Apodiformes is derived from the Greek words ""a pous,"" meaning ""without foot."" While apodiforms do in fact have feet, they are quite small and their legs are short and relatively weak. Many birds in this"
"Ornithomimosauria The Ornithomimosauria, ornithomimosaurs (""bird-mimic lizards"") or ostrich dinosaurs are theropod dinosaurs which bore a superficial resemblance to modern ostriches. They were fast, omnivorous or herbivorous dinosaurs from the Cretaceous Period of Laurasia (now Asia, Europe and North America), as well as Africa and possibly Australia. The group first appeared in the Early Cretaceous and persisted until the Late Cretaceous. Primitive members of the group include ""Nqwebasaurus"", ""Pelecanimimus"", ""Shenzhousaurus"", ""Hexing"" and ""Deinocheirus"", the arms of which reached 2.4 m (8 feet) in length. More advanced species, members of the family Ornithomimidae, include ""Gallimimus"", ""Struthiomimus"", and ""Ornithomimus"". Some paleontologists, like Paul"
"Cassowary Cassowaries (), genus Casuarius, are ratites (flightless birds without a keel on their sternum bone) that are native to the tropical forests of New Guinea (Papua New Guinea and Indonesia), nearby islands, and northeastern Australia. There are three extant species. The most common of these, the southern cassowary, is the third-tallest and second-heaviest living bird, smaller only than the ostrich and emu. Cassowaries feed mainly on fruit, although all species are truly omnivorous and will take a range of other plant food, including shoots and grass seeds, in addition to fungi, invertebrates, and small vertebrates. Cassowaries are very shy,"